Chilewich's new TerraStrand yarn uses vegetable compounds in place of petroleum, but what does that really mean? Here's how it all breaks down.

Petroleum-based plasticizers and phthalates have long been used by the contract industry
to make PVC yarns soft and supple, but growing concerns about the human health impacts of chemicals and the consequences of unfettered fossil fuel
usage have pushed manufacturers to look for friendlier, more natural alternatives.

One of the newest developments to hit the
market is TerraStrand™ yarn by Chilewich, which uses vegetable compounds in place of petroleum compounds to add flexibility and durability to
the company’s flooring, upholstery textiles, and
wallcoverings. Here’s how it all breaks down:

0 — The number of phthalates used in TerraStrand yarns.

25 — The percentage of renewable vegetable
content found in TerraStrand yarns.

55 — The percentage of recycled content found in BioFelt® floor tile
backings when combined with TerraStrand fibers.

6,400 — Gallons of gas will be saved each year, thanks to the company’s switch from petroleum-based plasticizers to renewable vegetable compounds.

192,000 — Miles, the distance your average car could drive with the
gasoline saved.

100 — Percent of Chilewich Contract products will be made with TerraStrand by 2015. (It is currently featured in 75 percent of Chilewich Contract products.)